Today, October 10, 2024, marks World Homeless Day, an international observance dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness worldwide. In Rotterdam, the City Shower Foundation is making significant strides to support the homeless community by providing access to shower facilities.
The City Shower Initiative
Founded by Almin Zolotic, an entrepreneur and former homeless individual, the City Shower aims to ensure that everyone has access to hygiene and dignity. In honor of World Homeless Day, Zolotic is collaborating with sponsors to launch a crowdfunding campaign. “We believe that everyone has the right to hygiene and dignity. Our goal is to create a network of gyms where homeless individuals can access showers for free,” he explains.
Zolotic emphasizes the importance of this day, stating, “World Homeless Day is crucial as it highlights the issue of homelessness and its various causes. It provides a platform to raise awareness and encourages policymakers to take action.”
Poverty in Rotterdam
According to CBS statistics, there are approximately 30,000 homeless individuals in the Netherlands, with Rotterdam being the country’s poorest city. Zolotic notes a concerning rise in homelessness in the city, attributing it to increasing rent prices, a lack of affordable housing, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also observes a shift in the demographics of the homeless population, particularly an increase in young people experiencing homelessness. “This is a worrying trend,” he states. “Young individuals can find themselves in vulnerable positions for various reasons, such as lack of financial support or family instability.”
While Rotterdam has several shelters available, Zolotic insists that there are still significant gaps in the system. “Although there are good initiatives for homeless sheltering in the city, improvements are certainly needed. The system can sometimes be fragmented, and there are shortages of beds and resources.”
For more insights into the challenges faced by the homeless community and the City Shower’s mission, check out the original article here.